Cat Racing Event Preview
Lowe’s Motor Speedway
Nascar Nextel Open/All-Star Challenge
Nextel Open News and Notes
This Weekend’s Toyota…The No. 22 Caterpillar Toyota Dave Blaney is scheduled to drive in the event this weekend is chassis No. 78. This is the same car the team utilized earlier this season at Las Vegas Motor Speedway. The team qualified 11th for that race before an accident ended its day early.
Darlington Debrief…Blaney qualified 27th for the Dodge Avenger 500 and spent most of the day in the top 25 before falling victim to engine issues. The team gained one spot in the owners’ point standings and now stands 36th, 75 markers outside the top 35.
Blaney’s Open Stats…Blaney has made seven All-Star weekend starts on the 1.5-mile oval during his Cup Series career, starting as high as first (2004) and finishing as high as second (2003).
Bring Your Sharpie…Blaney will sign autographs at the Caterpillar souvenir trailer Saturday afternoon. Stop by the Cat souvenir trailer or visit www.daveblaney.com for updates and additional information.
All-Star Challenge Broadcast Schedule…Qualifying for Saturday’s event is scheduled to start at 6 p.m. ET Friday, May 18. The 60-lap event is scheduled to start at 7:30 p.m. ET Saturday, May 19, and will broadcast LIVE on Speed (TV), MRN (radio) and Sirius Satellite Radio.
Dave Blaney on the NEXTEL Open…“This weekend will probably be a nice change of pace for everyone - a little less pressure and a little more fun. It would be nice to think that our Caterpillar Racing Toyota has a chance of winning the Open and then having the opportunity to run in the NEXTEL Challenge because that would be a good pick-me-up for a team that has been working really hard all year long and not necessarily seeing the results we hope for. Regardless, it’s a fun weekend for the fans, and it’s always interesting to see what NASCAR, NEXTEL and Lowe’s Motor Speedway have up their sleeves to make this weekend stand out from the rest.”
